Her Reluctant Highlander Husband (Clan MacKinlay)

by Hanson, Allison B.

  The man stared at Bryce for a long time before turning to Dorie. “I’m afraid I cannot.”

  Bryce reached for his sword, forgetting he’d left it in his room for this very reason. It wouldn’t do to slay the man and take Dorie away. She would want to have her father in her life, so Bryce needed to remain calm and not act the beast he felt.

  “Papa, please!” Dorie cried, standing to come to his side. “I appreciate everything you did for me to try to find someone to love me, but it turns out I had him all along.”

  “This is what you want? To be second best to a ghost?”

  “She’s not second best,” Bryce cut in. His earlier smile was long gone now. He’d not allow anyone to belittle his feelings for Dorie. Not when he’d dragged himself through hell to finally allow those feelings. “She’s the most important person in my life.”

  “Please, Papa,” Dorie said. “He’s the man I want.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing since you’re still married to him. I cannot give you my blessing to be wed because you’re already married.”

  “Excuse me?” Bryce asked in confusion.

  “You say you signed the annulment, but I never received it.”

  He’d signed the document and— “Lachlan.” This had to have been his cousin’s doing. He hadn’t wanted Bryce to go through with it. He must have anticipated Bryce would change his mind. Damn it. The man’s head wouldn’t fit through the bloody gates when he found out he’d been right.

  Dorien frowned, not in anger but with sadness. “I imagine you plan to take her back to Scotland.”

  Bryce understood that he didn’t want to lose his daughter after she’d just entered his life a few months ago. “Aye. It’s our home. It’s where we’ll raise our children.” He smiled at the man. “Your grandchildren.” Dorie came close and Bryce took her hand, giving it an encouraging squeeze. “You are welcome to visit as often as you like,” Bryce added, hoping to appease his father-in-law.

  “This is really what you want, Dorie?” the viscount asked.

  Dorie went to her father with tears in her eyes. She hugged him tightly then stepped away. “Yes, Father. I hate to lose you, now I finally got to know you. I’ll miss my brothers and sisters. And Harriet. She’s a wonderful woman and so accepting of me, considering the circumstances. But I must follow my heart. And my heart wants to be with Bryce.”

  “And if he hurts you again…?”

  “I trust him, Papa.” She wiped a tear away. “I just wish I didn’t have to lose you to have him.” A new sob overtook her, and her father pulled her close.

  “Shhh. Why do you think you have to lose me?” he asked.

  She backed away and blinked up at him. “Because I’ve displeased you.”

  He gave her a soft smile. “You are my daughter. I love you. You will never lose me. Never.”

  “Truly?”

  “Truly.”

  She clung to him as he held her tightly.

  “As long as you’re happy, I’ll not be displeased.” The man’s words sounded warm. The glare he shot Bryce over Dorie’s shoulder, however, spoke of all the harm that would come to Bryce if he hurt her in any way. Bryce did not doubt he’d one day look at a man the same way when he claimed Bryce’s daughter, if they were blessed in that way.

  “Thank you, Papa.” She turned to Bryce and smiled. “I shall go pack so we can go home.”

  Home. He couldn’t wait.

  …

  Dorie expected her brothers and sisters would be happy to see her go. She’d grown attached to them but felt they’d never quite accepted her. So it was a surprise to find three crying children clinging to her as she tried to pack her things.

  Philip was, of course, too old for such dramatics, but even he seemed unhappy that she was leaving.

  “I’ll write to you all the time,” she assured them.

  “But I canna write back,” George said, using the Scottish word.

  “Then all the more reason for you to pay attention during your lessons so you can. In the meantime, I would be happy for you to draw me a picture. I know you can do that.” Though her younger brother seemed only able to draw unfathomably large horses that took up the entire page and were larger than the manor house in the background.

  Harriet took Geneva and soothed her tears. “I wish you happiness,” she told Dorie. “I know I’m not old enough to be your mother, but I care for you as one would.”

  “And I have come to rely on your advice. Thank you so much for making me see what was right in front of me.”

  Harriet and Dorie both brushed tears from their cheeks as a servant came to carry her things downstairs.

  Dorie heard the two men talking in the parlor and paused to see if they’d made amends or if her father was still trying to intimidate her husband. She recalled something Harriet had said about her father never finding any man to be good enough for his daughter, and guessed this tension was normal for the situation. Though as she drew closer she realized it went beyond that.

  “You realize this changes the terms of the agreement I made with your laird regarding the offer of men to aid in your takeover of the McCurdys? You’ll be on your own.”

  “Aye. My laird supports my decision,” Bryce said. “It would have been good to have your added support, but we’ll move forward without it.” Bryce sounded confident, but Dorie worried what would happen when Bryce came home with a wife instead of an army to conquer their enemy. “Our clan has gone decades without access to the sea, but I can’t go another day without my wife,” Bryce added.

  Dorie’s heart soared at his words. Whatever they faced when they got home, they would face together. She entered the room with a smile for both the men she cared for deeply.

  Her father nodded as she joined them. He hugged her and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear like a doting father. His gaze shot to Bryce and he sighed. “I put her in your care. Don’t make me regret it.”

  The men shook hands. “I’ll make sure you don’t. The rest of my life will be spent making her happy and comforting her in those times in life when happiness is not possible.”

  The man nodded. “I’m glad you finally realized what you were missing.”

  With more teary goodbyes on the lane by the waiting carriage, Bryce tied his horse behind the vehicle and helped her inside. While Dorie wasn’t exactly looking forward to a long ride in the carriage, she did want to be alone with Bryce.

  He only waited until they could no longer see the manor house before he leaned over to kiss her. When she kissed him back, he took advantage and kept kissing her.

  A sound of interest escaped her throat and his lips pulled up in a smile against hers. Surely he wasn’t planning on…in the carriage?

  “It’s a long ride home and I need to make up for lost time,” he said, making his intentions clear.

  Her blood rushed with excitement, and she moaned when he touched her breast.

  “I love the sounds you make. It makes me want to keep giving you reasons to make them.”

  “I canna help it,” she said, then gasped when his teeth nipped the sensitive skin where her neck met her shoulder.

  He’d already unbuttoned her dress enough to pull it down and expose her breasts to his mouth. She would never tire of this man. Her husband in every way.

  …

  “Do you still plan to take over the McCurdys?” Dorie asked when they were almost home. It had been a long trip, but Bryce hadn’t minded since he’d taken up much of the time satisfying his wife in all the ways allowed in the small space of the carriage.

  “It will depend on whether Liam is able to get the Stewarts to agree to join us. The Campbells have already promised their support. And the Fletchers.”

  “But even with the Stewarts, it would have been easier if you’d had my father’s men as well.”

  He wouldn’t
lie to her, but he shrugged it off. “We will find a way. I wouldn’t have wanted to go off to war with your father’s men at my back if it meant I had no one to come home to when it was over.”

  “Perhaps if you’d asked—”

  “Nay. He made it clear to me that I’d breached the agreement when he didn’t receive the signed annulment and I showed up at his home instead. I can’t say that I understand why he wouldn’t change his mind. He has every reason to hate the McCurdys as much as we do. But his offer was made with conditions I couldn’t live with, so we’ll manage somehow. It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

  Unfortunately, telling someone not to worry and them doing that were two very different things. Bryce knew his wife worried that she had ruined their chances for earning surrender from the McCurdys. But he also knew that Lach and Cam would have done the same thing in his situation. Because when it came to having Dorie in his life, he’d rather fight all the McCurdys single-handed than live without her.

  There wasn’t any other choice to be made.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Bryce had never been so happy to see the battlements of Dunardry as he was when they crested the final ridge and the castle came into sight. The last of the day’s sun lit up the stone in welcome.

  Everyone was outside waiting for them when the carriage drove into the bailey. Bryce hopped down and helped Dorie out. She’d no sooner stepped down than a large, gray mass set upon her. Whining and wiggling in excitement, Rascal welcomed her with drool and muddy paws.

  “Get down, beast.” Bryce brushed mud off as the dog ran in circles, clearly happy to have her home. Bryce didn’t blame him. He’d barely set her to rights when Kenna and Mari nearly toppled her in excited embraces.

  Bryce moved away from the squealing to speak to his cousins.

  “I see you have your wife back,” Lach said with a smug smile.

  “Aye. You were right. I surely hope this is what you were blathering on about when you told me you supported whatever decision I made, for the viscount is not going to send his men.”

  Lach nodded, though the smile had faded. “I expected as much.” He looked over at the women. “It’s worth it to have you happy.”

  “She’s worried you will be upset with her. Make sure you put her straight on that,” Bryce said.

  Cam laughed. “I must say, being a protective husband suits you well.”

  Lach stepped forward and held out his arms to welcome Dorie home. “I’m so glad to have you back in our fold.”

  She frowned. “You might not think so when you find out my father is not sending his men.”

  Lach waved it off. “You’re more valuable to my clan than a handful of British soldiers. Women are vital to the growth of our clan. After all, none of my warriors would be here if not for the women.” He winked when she blushed and Bryce squeezed his shoulder in thanks for his words.

  After their meal, they went up to their room which had been filled with the trunks Dorie brought home with her.

  “I’ll add some pegs to the walls to hang some of these things. We’ll make it all fit,” he said as he pushed one of the trunks away from the bed so they could get in to sleep. The large dog didn’t help make the room seem bigger.

  “I shouldn’t have brought everything, but Harriet was insistent that this was all mine and I should have it.” She frowned when she looked at the overcrowded room. “Why would I ever need so many fancy gowns?”

  Why, indeed? She certainly wouldn’t have use of them here in the Highlands with a war chief as her husband.

  “Dorie…” He let out a breath and took her hand. “I’m sorry I can’t offer you a home like the one your father has.”

  Her eyes went wide. “Why ever would the two of us need a house of that size? Even with all my brothers and sisters, Sutherland House was far too big.”

  He loved her practicality, but she was missing his point. “I can’t even give you a home like Cam and Mari’s,” he explained.

  “Ah. I see. Do you think I’ll regret coming home with you? I knew the size of our room when I left England. And I still couldn’t wait to get back here to be with you.” She looked around and let her arms drop by her sides. “I will say it seems much smaller now with these trunks filling the space, but we’ll figure it out another time. Come to bed, husband.”

  That was a request he was happy to oblige. His earlier exhaustion faded slightly as excitement took its place. He pounced on the bed, toppling her over with him.

  She laughed but made no attempt to escape his clutches. “I don’t really care if the room is big enough to hold my trunks, so long as the bed is big enough for the two of us to romp around in,” she said, warming his heart once again.

  “I shall love you from one side of the bed to the other to make sure there’s plenty of room.”

  They spent each night over the next week testing the bed to make sure it would do.

  He woke up before her one morning, Rascal taking his place as Bryce slipped out of bed. He had a bite to eat and went out to run his men through their drills. The Campbells hadn’t arrived yet, and Bryce began to worry they’d changed their minds.

  There was no way the MacKinlays could ensure victory over the McCurdys without the help of another clan. Liam hadn’t arrived home yet from the Stewarts, either, so there was still a chance both clans might join them. Or neither.

  It was almost time to stop for the noon meal when the guard on the gate yelled out, “Riders. A lot of them. Armed.”

  Bryce smiled and called up, “What banner do they fly?” He could wait the few minutes for them to arrive, but it was better to know if it was the Campbells or Stewarts who rode on the castle.

  “No banner flying.”

  Bryce’s smile faded and his brows creased as he looked to Lachlan. They both knew a clan approaching in peace had no reason not to fly a banner.

  “Bloody hell,” Lach muttered. “Bryce and I will ride out. Have the men at the wall. Prepare for battle.”

  …

  With the help of some sturdy lads, Dorie had the trunks stacked out of the way. Kenna made room in the solar for the ones that wouldn’t fit.

  She offered Kenna and Mari many of the gowns. Since Dorie was so tall, it would be easy to cut them down a bit to fit Kenna, or a lot to fit tiny Marian. The women were excited for the fine dresses. Especially since they didn’t have to make them themselves.

  “It will sadden me to have to put them aside when I grow too big to wear them,” Kenna said while rubbing her bump.

  “Do you hope for a girl this time?” Dorie wondered, since Kenna and Lachlan already had three boys.

  “I hope for the same thing I always hope for—that whichever it is, the babe is healthy and happy.” Kenna smiled and Dorie felt a yearning for that same type of joy. She felt almost greedy to wish for more than she’d already been given. Her husband loved her, which was a miracle unto itself. She was happy.

  But the truth of it was, despite her blessings, she wanted a child with Bryce. Guilt washed over her as the door burst open, letting in one of the maids.

  “An army is approaching the castle. The men are leaving to head them off.”

  Dorie jumped up and ran down the stairs into the hall, but there were only a few scattered soldiers remaining. Rascal ran out of the hall and she followed after him. In the bailey the men were mounting and preparing to leave. She searched the men closest to the gate, knowing the war chief would have the place of honor in front of his men.

  “Bryce!” she called and caught his attention. Despite the seriousness of the moment he offered a smile and slid down from his horse to pull her into his arms.

  “I’m sure it’s just the Campbells or maybe the Stewarts.”

  “The maid said there was no flag.”

  “Aye. And that’s why we’re going out to greet them.”

 
Dorie knew well enough that a welcome party didn’t call for every soldier to join them. Especially not fully armed. They were preparing for what might happen if their visitor was not friendly.

  “Come home to me.”

  “I’ll do my best.” He kissed her and she knew that was all the promise she would get from him. His kiss was fierce and full of intention. “That will have to do until I return. But when I do, ye might want to be ready.” He gave her a wink and patted Rascal. “Guard her well, lad,” he instructed, then mounted his horse.

  She stepped out of the way as only a few warriors followed her husband through the gate. The rest remained in place, in case things turned bad.

  …

  Bryce swallowed as he crested the hill and saw the approaching army. Nearly a hundred men approached with no flag among them. This was even more men than he had left back at Dunardry. They wouldn’t win this battle. Bryce knew the warriors remaining at the castle could fight them off for a time, but he worried they’d lose in the end.

  The leader of the other group spurred his horse and came toward them. When he was in sight, Bryce relaxed and scabbarded his blade. “Stand down. It’s Dorien.”

  Bryce eyed the soldiers again, spotting a red coat here and there, but overall they were out of uniform. Paid soldiers.

  Lachlan kept his blade at the ready and narrowed his eyes on Bryce. “What have you done to his daughter now that he sends an army to take you down?”

  “Nothing,” Bryce answered while his mind recalled the things he might have done to displease his father-by-marriage. “I’m fairly sure,” he added, not sounding very certain.

  “Welcome back to Dunardry,” Lach called when he was close enough. “To what do we owe this honor?”

  Dorien smiled in greeting, which Bryce took as a good sign. “It was my understanding you wished to have access to the sea through the McCurdy port. And the only way to have it was to take over Baehaven”

  “Aye. It was our understanding that your offer of men to help was only available if Bryce came home without your daughter.”